Turn Away | c.h

Chapter 23 - Eyes Shut*

(Some smut.. Not hardcore, just a "cutesie" one. (cutesie wtf am I lol I really dunno) (the * means it's a smutty chapter;)))))

I stood in the room, my eyes scanning over the old, torn down walls. It was weird to think Calum had occupied himself in this tiny space... It was disgusting. It stunk, and it was mouldy and terribly cold. It bothered me that he was putting himself in such an unpleasant and unsafe place, and that I knew I couldn't do anything about it.

Calum took a seat behind me, sitting down on the wooden bench. I turned around to look at him.

"This is where you sleep at night?"

"Well... Not entirely. Most nights I just wander around." He said, glancing around the space.

"Cal, this is..." I trailed off, trying to find the right words. I didn't want to offend him.

"It's not much, I know."

"It's unhealthy. You can't stay here."

"Stella, it's fine." He hummed, placing his hands on my hips and pulling me forward, between his knees.

"It's not... You're not safe here." I softly said. Calum's eyebrows furrowed, eyes glancing down to my lips. "I have somewhere nicer you can stay, no one will know you're there."

"No, Stella. I'm okay here."

"You're not."

"This is why i didn't want to show you where I was staying. I'm not interested in have a big fancy house, I just need a small, secret place that I can go to once in a while."

"I know, but..."

"It's okay, Stella. Don't you worry about me." He said, smiling up at me. I let out a sigh of defeat, softly smiling back. I knew no matter what I said, I couldn't persuade him.

"Okay... Fine. But you're staying at mine for the next few nights, okay?"

"Can't fight with that," he shrugged. "Is your dad away?"

"Yeah, he's on a business trip. Katy tagged along." I said, pulling away and sitting down beside him. Calum turned towards me, looking down at me as I dusted off my thighs. He watched as my hands smoothed over my legs, paying attention every little move I made.

"Stel, what happened between your parents?"

I glanced up at him, watching as his eyes stared in to mine. I should've known this question was coming sooner or later, I just didn't expect it now.

"Divorce... Nothing that bad." I softly said.

"I'm here. If you need to talk about it."

"It was years ago." I shrugged, looking out to the small cracked window beside me. "It's over."

He placed his hand on mine, gently squeezing to gain my attention. I looked at him.

"Stella, I know you went through it alone, and you're used to going through things alone but I am here now. You need to know that. I'm not going anywhere... It's us now."

"It's just pointless. It was ages ago. Talking about it now is not going to make a difference, it's not gonna make mum and dad fall back in love again." I shrugged.

"I know. But it might give you some closure."

"I don't need closure." I said, pulling away slightly. "I just need to move on."

"Why won't you trust me with this?"

"Because I'm still hurt you're not who you said you were and I defended you the whole time you left me when you said you wouldn't, and I'm scared if I open up to you, you're going to do what my mum did and just leave me-" I snapped, my voice cracking as I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. "I just can't get hurt again... Especially by you."